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Welcome to issue one of the London LGBTQ+ Centre newsletters!

Just over a year ago, a group of friends and strangers gathered in a room to talk about a dream: creating a home for London’s LGBTQ+ community. We are now a strong group of volunteers who are doing everything we can to make this happen - for LGBTQ+ people for generations to come. 


In upcoming editions of our newsletter, we’ll be introducing you to our project, the volunteer teams and the ongoing action. As for today, we’re giving you a glimpse at what we want to achieve.

Why do we actually need it?

At the heart of the project stands the belief that public and social spaces are essential to every community. They reduce the risk of marginalisation and isolation;  foster cohesion, enable the exploration of our shared heritage and bring a much-needed sense of belonging. However, for the LGBTQ+ community in London, these spaces are disappearing.

 

Between 2006 and July 2017 the number of LGBTQ+ venues in London has fallen by 58% (from 125 to 53).  And this is the tip of the iceberg. As it stands, the majority of London’s LGBTQ+ venues are pubs, bars and clubs. We believe LGBTQ+ nightlife plays a vital role in the community but remain aware these venues are unable to provide for much of the community’s needs. They not only exclude the members of the community who don’t have the resources to frequent them, but also young people and members of other groups who aren't comfortable around alcohol consumption.

Our vision

Our mission is simple. The LGBTQ+ Community Centre aims to be an inclusive, fully accessible, intergenerational multipurpose space that isn’t centered around nightlife.

Beyond providing a social and community space for London’s LGBTQ+ community, it will also offer resources and support in an effort to address some of the most pressing issues and inequalities facing LGBTQ+ people: from improving LGBTQ+ health to reducing isolation of older LGBTQ and marginalised members, but also fighting harassment, promoting wellbeing and supporting services for drug and alcohol abuse.

This will be achieved through a combination of signposting, service provision, and providing a space for community, third-sector and public services to be delivered in one place.

 

The Centre, in short

Through an ongoing consultation process and discussion with local business owners, the core requirements of the Centre at its initial opening stage have been identified.

 

The Centre will organise around a handful of multipurpose spaces, which at the point of opening will house the majority of its activity:

  • A cafe space with a kitchen

  • A space for information, signposting and coworking

  • A multipurpose space for events, workshops and meetings  

  • Quiet rooms for advice, clinic and prayer

  • Outdoor space run in partnership with our friends at Hackney LGBTQ+ gardening group - Rainbow Grow.

 

Though we don’t yet have an opening date, we will keep you up to date with all action moving forward. Stay tuned in future editions of our newsletter!
 

Make sure you follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to stay in touch. You can do this by clicking the icons at the end of this email! 

 

For now, we want to say a huge and heartfelt thank you.

Until next time,

LLGBTQCC volunteers x

Copyright © 2018 London LGBTQ+ Community Centre, All rights reserved.

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